Warner Bros. has hired Steve Kloves to write and direct a live-action adaptation of The Jungle Book.

Rudyard Kipling first published The Jungle Book back in 1894, which has been the subject of numerous adaptations. Disney produced an animated version of The Jungle Book in 1967, along with a 1994 live-action rendition, which starred Jason Scott Lee as Mowgli and was directed by Stephen Sommers. No plot details were revealed for this new version.

Steve Kloves is best known as the screenwriter behind the massive Harry Potter franchise. He wrote the screenplay adaptation for every movie in the series except Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. He also had a hand in writng The Amazing Spider-Man, as well as Warner Bros.' now-delayed Akira. He made his directorial debut with 1989's The Fabulous Baker Boys, and he last directed 1993's Flesh and Bone.

No production schedule was given for this new version of The Jungle Book.

Actor Keanu Reeves has passed on Warner Bros. live-action remake of Akira. We reported earlier this month that the studio expressed interest in Keanu Reeves portraying Kaneda, although the actor decided to pass on the role last Thursday.

The studio has also shut down the pre-visualization department and let go of staff members working on the movie. However, Warner Bros. is still actively searching for cast members. Here is a statement released by the studio.

"Production on Akira has not halted or been shut down, as the film has not yet been greenlit and is still very much in the development stage. The exploratory process is crucial to a project of this magnitude, and we will continue to sculpt our approach to making the best possible film."

We reported in February that screenwriter Steve Kloves is rewriting the script, which was originally written by Albert Torres. Albert Hughes and Allen Hughes are still attached as directors, although it isn't clear when Akira will be given the green light.

Akira is in development and stars Garrett Hedlund, Kristen Stewart, Ken Watanabe. The film is directed by Jaume Collet-Serra.

Writer Steve Kloves, best known for adapting seven of the eight Harry Potter feature films, is being brought in to polish up the latest draft of Akira.

This live-action remake of Katsuhiro Ôtomo's popular Japanese manga epic will be directed by Albert Hughes. The film will still be set in post-apocalyptic Japan, and will be produced by Albert Hughes and his brother Allen Hughes.

Though casting rumors have run rampant on Akira, with James Franco being the last leading man tied to the adaptation, no cast is in place yet. Akira hasn't been given a release date at this time, either.